Robert Frost once said, “I talk in order to understand, I teach in order to learn.”

Professor of psychology and Dean of Arts, Phillip Smith has been awarded the Outstanding Canadian Professor of the Year award.

The awards is_ jointly administered by the Council for Advancement and Support of

Education (CASE) and _ the Canadian Council for Advancement of Education

(CCAE), and honours undergradu- ate faculty for their contributions to the lives and careers of students and service to their institutions and the teaching profession.

Smith was _ officially appointed as assistant professor if psychology in 1989, earned the university’s excellence in teaching award in 1992/93. Before teaching at UPEI, Smith had a clinical prac- tice in Charlottetown.

His curriculum vitae also includes an outstanding array of founding member, chair, treasurer, president and past-president posi- tions, along with research grants projects, and reports.

Smith is proud to be the receipiant of the award, but is also a little apprehensive.

“It is certainly the most meaningful professor award I can imagine receiving,” said Smith. “{But] I am very aware and I don’t think that I’ve ever been more aware since this very nice honour has came about; that there are lots of times when I don’t meet the standard of what we should always be trying to be.”

Despite his research activi- ty, and his position as Dean of Arts, Smith maintains that teaching remains the most exciting part of his job.

“I do know that what I most

enjoy in my professional life is teaching, that’s what’s most excit- ing,” he said, adding that all three can be tied together. “It’s what gives me the most satisfaction in my professional life and I hope that

but he also believes he’s working

Professor of the Year award. “Phillip Smith believes in connecting with — students,” Boudreau said. “He’s an excellent instructor and an excellent teacher,

Dean Smith, recipient of the Professor of the Year Award

that comes through to students.”

Smith has been self-con- sciously aware of the expectations of students because of the recogni- tion and said jokingly that he was somewhat nervous about next September.

He feel especially privi- leged to work with first year stu- dents, not only because for many his Introduction to Psychology is their first exposure to the subject matter, but also because it is part of the first university experiences. The course, attended by 284 stu- dents, was also taken by Smith in 1976/77, then taught by Professor Don Mazer, now a colleague of Smith’s.

Students were eager to con- gratulate their professor, and col- leagues were generous in their comments.

J. Paul Boudreau, a col- league in the UPEI psychology department, coordinated Smith’s nomination for the 2000 Canadian

with heart and minds of people that he can have a direct impact on.

Boudreau asked students for their opinion of Smith as a fac- ulty member.

“One of the common themes form Phillip’s students that really struck me was the mention of things like ‘He inspired me to think of the may possibilities that were open to me and believe in the possibilities.” Another said, ‘He taught me to look at people as hav- ing the ability and desire to change and help themselves.’”

Smith’s desire to reach out to the community outside the uni- versity has resulted in several courses that blend the instruction of psychology with civic responsi- bility. In his course Human Services: Integrating Theory and Practice, students do volunteer work with community agencies such as a group home, a day care or a more clinical mental health set- ting.

“Dr. Smith’s leadership in the classroom and community alone are commendable and awe- inspiring,” said Boudreau.

Smith, who keeps a photo- graphic record of his students, sends end-of-year congratulatory letters to students who have done very well, and organizes feedback teams, advises students to become as actively engaged during their time at UPEI as they can, not only in their study, but also in other activities on campus, either through campus organizations, clubs and societies, athletics, and so on.

Smith not only had advice for students, but also for young professors starting out.

“] think it is important for a professor starting out to feel com- fortable that there is a wide range of teaching and learning approach- es,” he said. “They must adopt the teaching style which feels most comfortable to them.

“Your teaching has to match you own passions, interests and values,” Smith said. “It is. never bad advice to encourage [professors] to look for opportuni- ties they have to learn with their students. Students do not expect professors to know everything.”

Teachers are responsible for developing their student’s skills, he added, to encourage them to ask questions, to become critical thinkers, and to address the context of the curriculum.

Smith sees this award not only for himself, but also as an indicator of the quality of teaching at this university.

“I think it is important to recognize that things like this can happen at UPEI, there is a large range of teaching styles here, and UPEI provides an excellent experi- ence.”

‘4 The Cadre